Q: Hey, can you tell us a bit about where you come from, and what made you want to start a career in music?
A: I’m a Musical artist and producer originating from Wilmington, NC. I found it so interesting how music connects with people in different ways. I Began as a self-taught guitarist at age 8, Then later blended my way into singing and incorporating my influences into one distinctive style.
Q: And what other artists have you found yourself listening to lately?
A: I’ve been getting into a lot of Alice In Chains, Early grunge really proved to me you didn’t need to heavily scream to sound powerful and emotional in Rock, You can reach the audience deeply with a cleaner versatile voice as well. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Amy Winehouse as well, With the way things have been rolling for me she really speaks to me. We lost a pure soul and a unique voice, that’s for sure.
Q: Who were your first and strongest musical influences?
A: My first musical influence was Micheal Jackson growing up, I always honored the way he could create and perform so effortlessly. The way he connected to his audience was astounding and incomparable. The point of being a musician is to be your own unique artist. I feel if someone can hear your voice and immediately know who it is, It’s a straight given gift. I grew up mostly listening to hard rock/metal until I grew out of my shell and found a love for blues, pop, and 90’s alternative. Megadeth was the band that got me into that harder side of my music taste. Though now I believe there’s always good talent in every single genre, We just all have different tastes. No genre should ever be hated on for there’s a reason in its following.
Q: You have just released your new album, ‘Dear Turquoise’. Is there a story behind it?
A: Yes, It’s one of my deepest and most vulnerable releases to date. I had first love just as we all find at one time in our findings, and when things spiraled downhill I felt confused and rather helpless. It lingers with you no matter what you do sometimes. I’ve never truly felt a harder challenge in my life than when things ended. This debut album Was entirely written during that solitary time, Music was the only thing there to truly speak back to me. I spent endless nights just writing out my painful feelings and questions that were left unanswered. Heartbreak is a serious weapon, as much as it is a beautiful source of motivation. I wanted the world to hear my sad-tale story, and those that are going through a feeling of tough loss to connect with themselves through my album as well. Music has been devoted to me for my entire life, and the best part is it isn’t going anywhere.
Q: What is the message of your music?
A: I make music as a form of emotional release, whether it’s frustration or positivity. I want the listeners to find escape through my music like I do, and pure hope and happiness with each other. I wish to speak with those who are struggling in their lives, who feel that a traumatic event has taken its toll on their way of thinking and need a way out. I wish to convey the opposite of loneliness. We’re all going down different paths, Struggles help us build the stronger character we are now. Hopefully hearing my story will let my audience know we can be just as believed in ourselves as we should be.
Q: What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?
A: I’d personally describe my sound as Acoustic Rock or Acoustic Pop. I love to combine my vast range of influences into what feels right in the moment. In my second track “Intoxicating”. It started out as a funky Billie Eilish inspired bass groove. Then turned into an emotionally honest song about the absence of our love for somebody, joined by striking 80’s synthesizers and a contagious backing rhythm. I like to incorporate sad lyrics with upbeat rhythms and I feel sometimes it’s rather unique to me, Especially how two opposites seem to just “Fit” per se. “Junkmail” Is one of those songs with lots of different percussive instruments. From triangles and woodblocks to Congos and a variety of shakers.,The piano rolls make it seem like something straight out of a Hollywood musical! I also have Catchy piano ballads such as “08-14-18” and “7 Hours”, as well as a favorite following to my indie rock roots of “Night Drives”.
Q: Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it, or are you expecting something more?
A: I feel lost with the world when I’m writing my music, It takes me to a place where all the negativity Is long forgotten. I couldn’t ask for more, except wishing for my listeners to feel that same connection that I do with my music. Nothings better when you’ve reached the point of an audience singing a song that you wrote in a time of answers, and sang it directly back to you just as you did to yourself. I drive to connect with people just as much someday. I want people to feel that unexplained musical feeling that I do when I write my songs.
Q: Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song?
A: It usually starts out as something I arranged between me and my acoustic guitar, Then once it’s recorded I use different instruments to image what’s playing in my ears as I listen to it. Sometimes I hear orchestral strings being supported by it, or sometimes I feel a driving distorted guitar and punching drums. It’s all determined by the message I’m trying to convey and as I’m feeling in the moment of composition. Once I’m satisfied with the final product, I start the mixing and mastering stage to get every instrument just as I imagine it. I usually spend months on end in this stage just to get it exactly how I want it to sound, If it sounds just a tad off I go back and fix it allover again. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to my passions.
Q: What has been the most difficult thing you’ve had to endure in your life or music career so far?
A: I’d say the events in my life working up to the release of “Dear Turquoise”, It felt as if things just couldn’t get worse and then they did just that every time. I mean, I went through everything with this person imaginable. Life just keeps on taking you down but you have to get back up and find another source of power for yourself. For musicians like us it’s writing lyrics and putting forth honest moving music. I found ties within everything and felt as if I couldn’t speak to anyone who understood, That’s where I found an admiration for songwriting and poetry.
Q: On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?
A: Right away I’d say reaching 7K views on my first music video “Walk Above”, I would’ve never dreamed of it reaching that point of attention. I released it one night without telling anyone and the next morning I woke up to a 600 view count and couldn’t believe how many people gradually connected with it each day. It seemed like it just kept climbing and climbing every time I checked on it. My biggest success on anything by far. It still remains my favorite song I’ve ever written. “Walk Above” was one of my first songs about having ups and downs with your partner, that music video soon unexpectedly portrayed the way I was living my life afterwards. I found such connection in that single that I got it tattooed across my right arm for a pivotal time that passed in my life. People seem to really love the stripped down acoustic rhythm of it, and I can’t blame them.
LISTEN TO THE ARTIST:
Follow Caleb Wiler:
Spotify – YouTube – SoundCloud – Instagram